How the public is betting Bucks vs. Suns in Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals

The Milwaukee Bucks are on the West Coast to take on the Phoenix Suns to open the 2021 NBA Finals on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The Bucks are likely going to be without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is listed as doubtful to play due to a hyperextended knee. The Suns are 100 percent healthy and ready to go in their first Finals appearance since 1993. Let’s take a look at how the public is betting Game 1 on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Update, 8:40 p.m. ET — Giannis is going to play in Game 1 vs. the Suns, per reports.

Bucks vs. Suns, Game 1 betting splits

Below is a look at the betting splits among bettors at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Update — The afternoon splits are in and most of the bettors are now shifting toward the Bucks at +6. The line will move back and forth leading up to tip-off most likely. Once Giannis is ruled out, we could see a final push in favor of the Suns but the higher the spread, the more likely the Bucks will get action.

The spread bets are basically an even split. The Bucks may be without Giannis but that doesn’t mean they can’t win Game 1 on the road. Milwaukee had to pick up two tough wins against the Hawks in the East Finals in Games 5 and 6 without the Greek Freak. The Bucks are capable of winning the series without Giannis. So with a pretty steep spread, the public is expecting the Bucks to at least hang in this game. They’re also backing the Suns at home. It doesn’t feel like Milwaukee can blow out Phoenix, so the two most likely outcomes are a Suns blowout or a close game.

Over/Under

Update — The latest splits are at 218.5 points, but the live line has the O/U at 219. Most of the action is still on the over.

The latest splits had the O/U at 217.5 and that line has moved up to 219 on Tuesday with the news of Giannis likely being out. The lack of interior defense for the Bucks could be an issue against Deandre Ayton. The Suns have momentum, the home crowd and some firepower in Devin Booker and Chris Paul on offense. Phoenix could get out to an early lead and the Bucks haven’t been consistent enough on offense to play catch-up. Because it’s the Finals, it isn’t like Monty Williams is going to take the foot off the gas if Phoenix is up big. That could lead to a lot of points in favor of the Suns. Most of the bets were on the over at the low number, we’ll see what happens this afternoon when we get an update.

Moneyline

Update — The moneyline bets are still heavily on the Suns, which makes some sense. The Bucks would essentially have to play lockdown defense all night and/or shoot the lights out, which they haven’t done often in the 2021 playoffs. Most of their offense runs through the paint with Antetokounmpo, who will likely be out.

A big majority of bettors are backing the Suns at home in Game 1 with no Giannis. It’s not a bad idea in my mind to consider the Bucks on the ML at +205, which is what the line was on Tuesday morning. If Milwaukee gets more juice, even better. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bucks came out and won. I think the matchup is more even than the lines are suggesting.

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